Catastrophic collapse of ultrashort pulses

We investigate theoretically the self-focusing dynamics of an ultrashort la ser pulse both near and above the threshold at which the pulse effectively undergoes catastrophic collapse. We find that, as a result of space-time fo cusing and self-steepening, an "optical shock" wave forms inside the medium that gives rise to a broad blueshifted pedestal in the transmitted pulse s pectrum. Out results are in good agreement with the primary features observ ed in experiments and thus provide a theoretical understanding for the unde rlying process that gives rise to "white-light" generation.